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Samardzija outdueling Zimmermann early on (updated twice)

Samardzija, making just his sixth career start, has dominated the Nationals hitters today at Wrigley Field, retiring 15 straight since allowing a leadoff double to Ian Desmond to start the game. The Cubs' starter has struck out four and has been mowing the Nats down with ease.

Where's Chad Tracy when you need him?

The Nats trail the Cubs 1-0 entering the sixth after Starlin Castro scored on an Alfonso Soriano sac fly. Castro ended up on third base after he stole second and Wilson Ramos was credited with a passed ball, allowing Castro to cruise into third.

Meanwhile, Zimmermann started off the game by retiring 10 of the first 11 he faced before getting hit on the leg by a Darwin Barney comebacker.

Zimmermann stayed in the game and brushed it off, but allowed the run three hits in the two innings after getting struck by the ground ball.

Instant update: The Nats manufactured a run in the sixth after Ramos singled leading off the inning and moved up a station on Zimmermann's sacrifice bunt. A Desmond single moved Ramos to third, and Danny Espinosa plated the first Washington run of the day with a sac fly.

We're tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the sixth.

Updated again: The Cubs got a run right back in the bottom of the sixth on an Alfonso Soriano RBI single to left, scoring Darwin Barney, who had doubled.